New Years is a way away, but here’s some info that might help you when getting ready for Champagne in your drink holder:
A champagne flute is the traditional way to serve this special drink. Although plastic champagne flutes are common in weddings and other big events, many lovers of champagne still prefer to flute a champagne in real glasses or even crystal.
If you do invest in crystals, here are some simple tips for cleaning and storing them.
Hand washing is the preferred method of cleaning crystal champagne flutes. It is very easy for the glasses to break in a dishwasher, and even if they are labeled as safe for dishwashers (as our cup holder is), they can still be damaged or scratched inside the machine. With large amounts of flutes to wash it might not always be possible to hand wash them (and for mobility concerns certain wheelchair accessories might be required), but especially with more expensive designs and crystals, try to wash them by hand.
The French style of washing champagne flutes means that only warm water is used for washing, without any soap or detergent. Dishwashing liquids can leave stains on the surface of the glass and this is why many connoisseurs only use water, as the stains can also prevent champagne bubbles from forming perfectly. If you wash your champagne glass with plain water, you can let it dry on top of a clean towel, but if you have used soap, it is often best to dry the glass very carefully with a clean cloth so that any remains of the soap are removed.
If you have to use the glasses again soon after they have been washed, take them out of the hot water carefully and let them cool down before placing them in the freezer for chilling. Delicate glass does not like rapid temperature changes. A champagne flute should always be cleaned soon after use, and it should be wrapped carefully for storing. There is a variety of special storage containers and racks for champagne classes on the market.
